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Introduction
Physocephala have an petiolate abdomen with segment 2 long and narrow, the others broader and shorter. They resemble solitary wasps. Adults are frequent flower visitors, that are found on Composites, Umbellifers &c. Their larvae are endoparasites of Sphecidae, bees, bumble bees and social wasps.
Key
1.b. Side of thorax with silverish stripe, from the implant of the wing to the base of leg 2; face below antennal implant completely yellow. 9.5-16 mm. NL, B, D. -> Physocephala chrysorrhoea Meigen
2.a. Face below antennal implant with a black stripe, above the antennal implant partly blackish -> 3
2.b. Face yellow, without black stripe below and blackish parts above antennal implant. 9-16 mm. NL, B, D. -> Physocephala vittata Fabricius
3.a. Face: black stripe below antennal implant rounded at its lower end; antennae blackish; trochanter and femur uniformly reddish. 10-18 mm. NL, B, D. -> Physocephala rufipes Fabricius
3.b. Face: black stripe below antennal implant deeply split into two arms; antennae red; trochanter dark, femur reddish. 15-20 mm. NL, B, D. -> Physocephala nigra DeGeer
Head of P. rufipes, with black stripe rounded below and P. nigra, with black stripe forked below.